1336 replies to this topic

[mixedmedia]

Just heard about this. 1st gen auditions have been announced for the newest group in the AKB48 universe.

Official page: http://www.hkt48.jp/index.html

Announcement on AKB blog: http://ameblo.jp/aki...0877661779.html

English translation of basic detail copy-pasted from Stage 48 thread:

Location: Fukuoka
Audition submissions dates: May 1st to May 31st.
Qualifications: 11 to 22 year old women
Theatre: Hawks Town Mall

Apparently one can apply online and there's an "overseas" option so maybe some ambitious (and/or well-funded) non-Japanese might apply?

Part of me thinks this is too soon since it's not even been a year since NMB auditions happened. Not to mention, teams that still haven't gotten their own stages and/or have members still unknown (SKE's Team E for example?). Looking at this year's elections, I can only imagine how overwhelming next year's might be. Would they be included in a Kouhaku performance as well like NMB was? 200 members on stage on New Year's Eve?

The other part is kind of excited b/c there is some evidence that awesome idols have been known to come from Kyushu before. Maybe future episodes of Hime Sagashi Taro won't have to have all those other groups (that most people don't seem to care about) on as much because of this.

[Naddy-chan]

AKB48 > SKE48 > SDN48 >SDN48 > NMB48 > HKT48
New group to support
About the overseas audition, does it need a knowledge about Japanese language ?

[Tyzer]

I still have no idea what to think of this.
I think a new group would be awesome, but not right now. I've hardly learn't any of SKE

[ｍｉｃｃｈｉｐｙｏｎ☆]

Again a new 48 group?


-dong-


o___o -silence- ...

^

Same here, I only know like.. 5-7 girls from SKE. And 2 from NMB. And 3 from SDN...

[dev-null]

It is all the big master plan to conquer the world with a cute idol army.

[Charlo]

Eh? What happened to Taiwan 48?

This sounds good though. Something I'll look into. Even though I've been completely sucked in by NMB48, I'm not sure my attention will shift.

Also, Aki-P How about branching out of Japan? You'll just end up competing against yourself.

Also, future Team KIII

STILL EXCITED THOUGH!

[Undirrast]

Let me guess... Aki P has too much money to spend.

[Masuku]

Wasn't HKT something that was talked about back in 2008? Why was the idea put on-hold back then?

[Alienpyon]

Fine, I suppose.

however, three things should be taken into consideration, in view of the large number of "48" units rising from all over the place:

1. It is not financially possible for fans to support all of them
2. It is much easier for people to lose interest in the "48" brand
3. It is inevitable that song quality cannot stay at today's high levels

In other words, use with caution.

[Luigi ★]

Since the lowest age is underage and the oldest ins't very old, i'm guessing this is not another adult-y group?

I still have a hard time keeping up with only AKB and probably won't look into this much,
but Im happy even overseas girls get a chance to become idols

[Charlo]

He would make more money if he focused on just a few Japan groups, or had them successfully all over the world, thus each of them having different fanbases.

[chuxnon]

ohh another unit? cool. *goes audition* ahahaah ok I won't. lol.
but it's getting pretty many units already! poor wotas. their money is flying away

[Charlo]

^ Why not? :3 If not just to see how you do?

[dkmy]

Could they all fit backstage in AX if they have another countdown concert?

[Cecilie]

I'm confused enough already! But would be cool to see overseas idols ^^

[numera]

i'm not much fan of akb48, what does number 48's significance? what does it have to do with these groups?

[strawberrypudding]

Fukuoka... (Reina!Reina!)
Actually I don't know what to think about this.. the first time overseas audition is possible for this gruop? o__O
I think it would've been more interesting if they have made overseas idols in AKB48 because everyone will soon get confused with so many 48's.

[ｍｉｃｃｈｉｐｙｏｎ☆]

i'm not much fan of akb48, what does number 48's significance? what does it have to do with these groups?

Because there's 48 members. :3

[Masuku]

i'm not much fan of akb48, what does number 48's significance? what does it have to do with these groups?

There is three teams per xxx48, for example AKB48 is Team A, Team K and Team B and each of the haves 16 members (16x3 = 48). But I don't know why the number is 48 and not for example 77. So I don't know if there is any official symbolism to it.

[Erin.]

^ I was wondering that too. Maybe it's Akimoto's lucky number?
But I did some math, and in 2005, when AKB48 was formed, Akimoto was 49. Coincidence? Possibly. Perhaps "AKB49" just didn't sound good, or he was in denial about his age, so he made it "AKB48". Haha, I really have no idea.